Papillomas are a type of neoplasm that appears on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. In most cases, the pathology manifests itself in the form of genital sneezing, which has a pointed shape and straight warts. These growths can be seen in any area of the human body. When a pathology occurs against the background of human papillomavirus activity, the disease is characterized as oncogenic. This nature is explained by the fact that the risk of growth turning into a malignant tumor is more than seventy percent. The subject of this article is what papillomas are and why they occur.
The cause of the appearance of papillomas
The most common cause of the appearance of papillomas is the activity of the HPV virus in the body. The virus enters the body during sexual intercourse or unprotected contact with a carrier of the infection. Less often, the disease manifests itself in people who abuse alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
It should be noted that the risk group for this infection includes people with weakened immunity, metabolic disorders and problems with the functioning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Failure to follow the rules of personal hygiene plays an important role in the spread of infection.
It is important!If the mother becomes infected in the last months of pregnancy, the virus can be transmitted to the newborn.
It is important to know that the infection is not only transmitted through traditional sexual intercourse. If one of the sexual partners has microtraumas in the body that disrupt the integrity of the skin, the virus can enter the body through them. When a person becomes infected with HPV, he or she becomes a carrier of the virus because it is not possible to completely remove the infection from the body. All treatments for the disease should be aimed at strengthening the immune system so that the immune system can cope with the disease alone.
The development of the disease is latent, which indicates that the virus has not manifested itself for a long time. The incubation period can be from one month to one year.
Stages of disease development
Given the question of why papillomas appear, it should be noted that the disease manifests itself only as a result of reduced activity of the immune system. Once the infection enters the human body, the virus begins to spread to the basal epithelial cells.
At the next stage of the development of the infection, various growths appear on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. Such growths can be seen not only on the surface of the body, but also in the internal organs.
Papilloma is a benign tumor of the epidermis consisting of flesh-colored or dark brown microscopic nodules.
Clinical picture
There is no single clinical picture of this pathology. The nature of the symptoms depends on the location of the growths and the type of virus that causes the changes in the body. The main symptom characteristic of HPV infection activity is the appearance of warts and genital warts. It should also be noted that the HPV virus is oncogenic, so it is very important to consult a specialist and start treatment in a timely manner.
Symptoms such as hypothermia, itching and tingling sensations and peeling are rare. All of these symptoms are characteristic of neoplasms located in parts of the body that are prone to friction.
Types of neoplasms
There are five main types of neoplasms: squamous, plantar, pointed, simple, filamentous. Let's take a closer look at each type of neoplasm and look at the causes of papillomas in the body.
Sharp papillomas
Acute papillomas (condyloma) are caused by infection with the HPV virus during sexual intercourse. In addition to their basic shape, these growths on the skin can look like small bubbles with liquid inside. At a certain stage of development, the growths open on their own, which leads to crying sores and an unpleasant odor.
This type of neoplasm has the highest degree of oncogenicity. According to statistics, such growths become the most malignant tumors. In addition to the unsightly appearance, genital sneezing can cause serious discomfort during sex or walking. The main treatment for this form of the disease is the removal of papillomas by cryodestruction.
Squamous papillomas
This type of formation in the body is considered one of the most common. Such papillomas concern the owner only from an aesthetic point of view. Such growth is almost never accompanied by changes in the patient's well-being. The forms are localized in the palms, soles or back.
Papillomas do not go away on their own and can last for many years without causing any discomfort.
In what parts of the body are HPV levels localized?
Tumors caused by human papillomavirus activity can occur anywhere in the human body. However, most neoplasms occur in the following areas of the body:
- tongue and throat;
- genitals;
- fingers;
- breast.
With a severe form of the disease, papillomas can occur in the genitourinary system and in the urethra itself.
Papillomas in the thoracic ducts
Intraductal neoplasm is a tumor that forms in the milk duct. It is accompanied by the formation of a tumor, redness of the mammary glands, the appearance of slight itching and burning, and other adverse effects. At certain stages of the development of the pathology, the patient may experience severe pain with any touch to the affected area of the body. Later, different colored discharges with an unpleasant odor appear in the affected area.
Tumor detected in time does not pose a health risk. However, prolonged delay in treatment can lead to the transformation of intraductal neoplasm into a malignant tumor. This is a dangerous high risk for rebirth, the development of breast cancer.
This growth has the shape of a nipple and resembles a small process. The color of the fist can differ significantly from the main skin tone. Many people wonder why papillomas appear in the mammary glands. Among the most common causes of this pathology, experts identify the effects of infectious diseases of a chronic nature, disorders of metabolism or ovarian function. In addition, there may be reasons for the appearance of intraductal tumors: decreased immunity or abortion procedure.
The risk group for this disease includes women with bad habits, as well as girls who have sex.
Papillomas in the throat
This type of neoplasm occurs on the surface of the laryngeal mucosa. The development of the disease occurs in secret, that is, the patient does not feel any negative changes in the body. Very rarely, anxiety is accompanied in the early stages of papilloma formation.
However, at a certain stage in the development of the pathology, the patient has difficulty breathing, feels a foreign body in the throat and feels pain. An increase in the affected area can lead to changes in sound and respiratory patterns. There are several specific reasons for the development of this form of the disease. The main reason is the presence of chronic diseases in childhood, as well as acute infectious diseases.
Alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse play an important role in the development of this type of papilloma. In addition, neoplasms can occur as a result of frequent changes of sexual partners and failure to use contraceptive methods.
This type of virus infection can occur when visiting swimming pools, baths and other public places. It is very important that the main component of the development of pathology is a weakened immune system, which can not resist the activity of the virus.
A holistic approach is used to treat this pathological form. In the first stage of therapy, it is necessary to undergo a procedure to eliminate the growths. Thereafter, the attending physician should prescribe antiviral medications to prevent recurrence of the disease. It is also important to pay attention to strengthening the immune system with vitamins and immunomodulators at this stage of treatment.
Papillomas in the cervical region
When talking about what a papilloma is and what it looks like, it is important to pay attention to this type of neoplasm. This type of intellectual growth has unequal boundaries. Growths are localized on the surface of the mucous membranes in the uterus. Like genital warts, this type of neoplasm is highly oncogenic. Lack of timely treatment can lead to the development of cancer.
The main reasons for the development of this pathology are weak immunity, poor hygiene, bad habits and sexual intercourse. The most common cause of papillomas is unprotected contact with an active HPV virus carrier.
Symptoms of the disease are characterized by an increase in regional lymph nodes. In addition, many patients are concerned about the burning sensation in the groin area. Against the background of the development of papillomas appears an uncharacteristic discharge of color, which has an unpleasant odor. To get rid of such growth, you need to go through the process of elimination of processes. In addition, a long course of treatment with antiviral drugs will be required to prevent recurrence of the disease.
It is important!Genital neoplasms can occur in both women and men. The main difference between this disease in men and women is that papillomas in men rarely turn into malignant tumors. If one partner has HPV infection, both partners should receive antiviral treatment.
Papillomas in the oral cavity
Papillomas in the region of the tongue have the form of papillary processes with a diameter of several centimeters. The reason for the appearance of this growth category is close contact with the carrier of the infection. However, the infection can also occur at home.
Infection at home is most common in young children. At this stage of life, children learn about the world around them through touch. Because immunity is not yet sufficiently developed in childhood, the virus enters the body easily.
You can be infected by using someone else's towel, linen, gloves, or shaving accessories.
Treatment of the disease
It is time to think about how to treat papillomas in the body. The method of therapy depends on the location of the growth, the depth of the lesion and the nature of the disease. The first stage of treatment is the removal of existing neoplasms. The cryodestruction method is most commonly used for this purpose.
Today, more and more specialists recommend radiofrequency surgery techniques to their patients. This method is completely painless and allows you to remove the growth without leaving visible marks. Radio waves affect not only the process itself, but also the root, which helps to prevent relapse.
In addition, papillomas are removed by excision, laser exposure, and current pulse treatment. External drugs can be used if the growth is not prone to degeneration in the case of a cancerous tumor.
Strong antiviral drugs can be used only after the etiology of the disease is determined and the exact type of virus is determined. The use of creams and ointments in the early stages of the disease allows you to achieve a lasting result on its own.
Treatment for HPV must be comprehensive. Immunomodulators, vitamins and antivirals prevent the development of relapse. Timely detection of pathology will prevent serious complications in the form of tumor growth into a cancerous tumor.